JOIN USDiddalli is a Paisari land, say displaced tribals
The displaced tribals at Diddalli in Chennayanakote Gram Panchayat of Virajpet taluk have refused to move to the land identified by the district administration for rehabilitation.
The Diddalli tribals arrived at a decision to reject the land identified at a meeting of Bhoomi Matthu Vasathi Hakku Vanchithara Horata Samithi held at Kodagu Community Hall here on Saturday.
The tribals said, “There are enough documents to prove that Diddalli was a Paisari land (land identified for distribution among siteless poor). As a result, the sites should be distributed for the displaced tribals at Diddalli itself. The land identified by the district administration for rehabilitation at Basavanahalli and Rampura in Kushalnagar taluk and Kedamullur in Virajpet taluk lack basic facilities. If we reside in the land identified, we will not get work for our livelihood. We will not accept an alternative land identified by the district administration.”
In a press meet after the meeting, senior advocate A K Subbaiah said, “There is 8,500 acres of Paisari land on Survey Number 106/7 A at Maldare in Diddalli. Let the district administration provide rehabilitation on the sites cleared by the Forest Department. The district administration had conspired against the activists by not inviting them to a meeting convened by District In-Charge Minister M R Seetharam. The issue should be sorted out in a meeting convened by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.”
Mega meet in Madikeri
He said a mega convention will be held at Madikeri March. A state-level convention will be held in Bengaluru on April 14. A 22-member committee has been constituted to fight for the cause of displaced, he said.
Subbaiah said that the fight should continue till the displaced get justice.
“The timber lobby and individuals with vested interests are involved in clearing of tribals from Diddalli. Even politicians are hand-in-glove with them. District In-charge Minister M R Seetharam and Deputy Commissioner Richard Vincent D’Souza are acting as puppets in their hands,” he charged.
Documents on land
At a meeting held under the chairmanship of Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya, it was decided to collect the documents to prove that Diddalli land was a Paisari land and later convene a meeting under the leadership of the chief minister.
“We have all documents to prove that it is a Paisari land. Now, the ball is in the chief minister’s court. Let him solve the issue,” he said.
Tribal leader Muthappa said, “Title deeds are given to the members of Erava, Paniya, Jenu Kuruba community members. But RTC has not been given to them so far. We are not asking for 10 acres of land. Let the authorities sanction minimum of three acres of land,” he said.